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20 May 2023 / 12 Comments

What to do in Eksjö - 11 tips for the wooden city in Småland

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What to do in Eksjö? This town in Småland, known as "the unique wooden town", offers charming environments, cosy cafés and lots of history. We have now gathered our best tips for experiences and sights in Eksjö.

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Eksjö - the unique wooden town

In 1568 the whole of Eksjö burned down and had to be rebuilt. Many of the houses built at that time have been preserved to this day, and when you stroll through the old town centre you will see lots of picturesque wooden houses from the 17th and 18th centuries. Eksjö is one of the few wooden cities that was founded on its current site and, in parts of the city, has not burned to any great extent after its construction. In fact, almost the entire Old Town is K-labelled.

The old town of Eksjö has received a Europa Nostra award for "good building and cultural heritage conservation" and is part of the "Three Wooden Cities". We did a "Wooden city classics" - that is, visiting all three - and started in Eksjö.

Att göra i Eksjö

Eksjö is located in Småland, about 6 kilometres southeast of Jönköping.

What can you do in Eksjö?

So, what can you see and do in Eksjö? This is a really charming and beautiful wooden town that offers everything from history and culture to wonderful nature experiences. Here are our top tips on what to see and do in Eksjö.

1. Stroll among the wooden houses in the Old Town

The first thing to do in Eksjö is of course to stroll among the fine wooden houses in the city centre. There are lots of beautiful and charming houses, as well as many lovely courtyards.

Att göra i Eksjö
innergård
Att göra i Eksjö

2. join a city walk

A good way to experience Eksjö, if you want to know a bit more about the history, is to join a guided city walk. Tours are mainly organised in the summer, but also sometimes on weekends. Ask at the tourist office! If a guided tour is not available, you can also go on your own with the help of a brochure or the app "Telling Eksjö".

Att göra i Eksjö

3. Visit Eksjö Museum

In the centre of the town is the Eksjö Museum. There are three permanent exhibitions: one on the history of the town, one on military history and one on the cartoonist Albert Engström, who comes from Hult near Eksjö and who later acquired a house in Eksjö. studio in Roslagen. There are also two halls for temporary art exhibitions.

At the museum you will also find the city's tourist office, where you can get information, book guided tours and ask for a sticker for Eksjö - in case you want to do the "Wooden City Classic".

Att göra i Eksjö - museum
Albert Engström
Att göra i Eksjö

Just outside the museum you can check out the statue 'Sitting Girl' by Fred Åberg.

Att göra i Eksjö

4. Take a guided tour of the Aschan estate

One of the more interesting things to do in Eksjö is to take a guided tour of the Aschan farm, which has been owned by the Aschan family since the 1830s. What is unique about this farm is that the entire interior has been preserved, from furniture to kitchen items.

Leo Felix Aschan was a tanner and started a successful tannery. The third and final Aschan generation consisted of five siblings. When the youngest of the siblings, Hedda, died at the age of 101 in 1984, there were no heirs. The Aschan estate was bequeathed to a foundation and most of it has remained untouched since then.

During the summer months, tours are given daily. At other times of the year, guided group tours can be booked. Enquire at the tourist office!

Aschanska gården
Aschanska gården
Aschanska gården

5. Check out Fornminnesgården

Fornminnesgården is a well-preserved farm from the 17th century, which also serves as a local history museum. There are collections of tools and crafts and a small museum of bicycles and motors.

Aschanska gården

6. Coffee at Eksjö konditori or Lennarts konditori.

The wooden town of Eksjö really invites you to have coffee in cosy patisseries. We settled down at Eksjö konditori, where we each had a really good ice cream.

Peter med glass

Another classic and popular option is Lennart's patisserie.

Att göra i Eksjö - lennarts konditori

7. Walk along the Eksjöån river

Eksjöån is a nice little river, and the surrounding environment makes it nice to walk here. From Vildparken to Vattenledningsparken there are nine signs that tell the history of the place in text and pictures.

Att göra i Eksjö

8. Hiking at Skurugata or Skrôle Hie

Around Eksjö there are several fine natural areas, and one of the most popular is Skurugata - an 800-metre-long fault line often described as southern Sweden's most peculiar natural phenomenon. There is also the famous Skuruhatt viewpoint.

We chose instead to go to "Skrôle Hie" in the nature reserve Stuverydsbäcken. Although we only spent a few hours here, we got a really nice nature experience.

Skrôle Hie

In the nature reserve there is a steep ravine through which a stream flows. The scenery is both dramatic and exciting, while also making the hike a bit challenging. Thanks to all the dead tree trunks, there is also plenty of life in the form of mosses, lichens, fungi and insects.

Skrôle Hie
Skrôle Hie
Skrôle Hie

9. See the reality of Katthult

Do you like Astrid Lindgren's fairy tales? (Or for that matter: Who doesn't?) Then you are in the right neighbourhood! There are many places around Eksjö that are connected to Astrid Lindgren, and one of them is Katthult, which is actually in the village of Gibberyd outside Rumskulla.

The Emil in Lönneberga films were once filmed here, and you can recognise everything from the flagpole to the house where Alfred lived. The farm is privately owned, but tourists are welcome to look around the buildings.

Katthult

10. Enjoy yourself at Filmbyn Småland.

If you want a more interactive experience around Astrid Lindgren's characters, head to Filmbyn Småland. Here you will find exhibitions and original costumes, but also plenty of opportunities to play.

Filmbyn Småland

While the place is very welcoming to playful children, it was fun for us adults too. What a feeling it is to step into Pippi's kitchen or the robbers' castle, or to digitally smash the soup bowl on your head and go up the flagpole...?

Filmbyn Småland
Filmbyn Småland
Filmbyn Småland

11. Take a trip to Vimmerby.

Another excursion from Eksjö, if you like Astrid Lindgren, is Vimmerby. As well as some charming wooden town streets here, you will also find the theme park "Astrid Lindgren's World" and the author's house "Astrid Lindgren's Näs". The house can be visited during guided tours, and next door is a museum with permanent and temporary exhibitions.

Vimmerby
Vimmerby
Vimmerby

More things to do in Eksjö for culture and history lovers

There is of course even more to see and do in Eksjö, in addition to our suggestions. Here are some more tips for those who like culture and history.

  • The Börje Grinding Museum is a different mouse with a couple of thousand ties (Bredagård Sanden 1).
  • Bruzaholm Utility Museum tells about a mill from 1660 that is still in operation (Bruksvägen, Bruzaholm).
  • Eksjö Fire Museum has a collection of everything from old fire extinguishers to emergency vehicles (Östra Bakgatan).
  • Krusa farm is an open cultural farm in the centre of Eksjö's unique old wooden buildings, dating back to the 17th century.
  • The equestrian statue by Alf Olsson was made to commemorate the closure of the Småland Hussar Regiment in 1927 (Stora Torget).
Att göra i Eksjö

More to do in Eksjö with children and teenagers

Travelling with children or teenagers? Here are some more ideas on what to do in Eksjö and the surrounding area with your family.

  • Cattus family walk is a guided family walk available in the 'Three Wooden Cities' app.
  • Mariannelund's caramel factory demonstrates the artisanal production of caramels (Parkgatan 14, Mariannelund).
  • Mellby bathing area offers lawns, a jetty and a playground.
  • Skullaryd Moose Park is a safari park where you can meet moose and deer. (Skullaryd 1)
Att göra i Eksjö

Things to do in Eksjö - on film

Here you can also get some inspiration for things to see and do in Eksjö via a small film that Peter has put together.

Where can you stay or park your motorhome?

There are of course plenty of hotels and other accommodation options in Eksjö. In the centre of the town, for example Eksjö city hotel or the charming Hotel Vaxblekaregården.

Vaxblekaregården

If you are travelling by motorhome, there are Motorhome park Eksjö City a short walk from the city centre, with bookable pitches and access to electricity. In addition, the Eksjö Camping both scenic and close to the city.

Ställplats Eksjö City

In the areas around Eksjö there are also more campsites and pitches. When we visited Filmbyn Småland, we stayed one night at the Spillhammar campsite, which is nicely situated on a lake.

Spillhammars camping

More to see and do near Eksjö

There is of course more to see and do in the neighbourhood of Eksjö. For example, you can go to Jönköping, with the Matchstick Museum or to Huskvarna, with Husqvarna Museum. Below you will find even more tips on things to see and do in Småland.

All our top tips for holidays in Småland

Even more suggestions on what to see and do in Eksjö?

We had really nice days in Eksjö and can highly recommend a visit here. Have you been here? How was your experience? Do you have any more good tips on what to see and do in Eksjö?

Frequently asked questions about Eksjö

what is Eksjö known for?

Eksjö is full of old wooden houses from the 17th and 18th centuries, many of which are listed buildings. The city markets itself as "the unique wooden city" and is, together with Hjo and Nora, part of the "Three Wooden Cities" network.

Who founded Eksjö?

The city was burnt down in 1568, during the Nordic Seven Years' War, and had to be rebuilt. Erik XIV commissioned the Flemish master builder Arendt de Roy to draw up a new town plan.

What is the name of the river in Eksjö?

The river in Eksjö is called Eksjöån. A 1.3 kilometre long river walk runs from Vildparken to Vattenledningsparken.

Facts about Eksjö

  • Landscape: Småland
  • County: Jönköping County
  • Municipality: Eksjö municipality
  • Population: Almost 18 000 inhabitants (2023)
  • Read more: You can find more information at visitksjo.se and by downloading the 'Three Wooden Cities' app.

History in Eksjö

  • 14th century: The place is mentioned from this time, as "Ekesiö".
  • 1403: The town was granted city rights by Erik of Pomerania.
  • 15th century: Already at this time Rönneslätt was used as a military meeting and training centre.
  • 1563-1570: The Nordic Seven Years' War severely damaged the city. The Swedes burned down the city in 1568, during the campaign of the Danish commander Erik XIV, and the city had to be rebuilt.
  • 1602: The town got its first school.
  • End of the 17th century: Military units were practising outside the city.
  • 1686: The Royal Småland Cavalry Regiment was tied more firmly to Eksjö, and subsequently several regiments were stationed in the town.
  • 1856: The neighbourhood south of the church burned down almost completely.
  • 1860s: Eksjö's importance declined when the Southern Main Line was no longer Växjö-Vetlanda-Eksjö but instead Alvesta-Sävsjö-Nässjö. However, the town became a railway junction between two branch lines.
  • 1905: The Småland Hussar Regiment moved to newly built barracks in Eksjö, and the town expanded.

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20 May 2023 6:00
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  1. Lena in Wales and a bit everywhere says:

    Eksjö is so nice. I can imagine returning there.
    I was in Katthult when the children were small, so it is done, even if it was a long time ago.
    Vimmerby is also nice.
    Wishing you a great weekend!

    20 May 2023 - 8:35

    Reply

  2. Only British says:

    Aaah, family traditions! Grandma's father came from the villages west of Vimmerby so there were many of grandma's cousins to visit in Rumskulla etc. in childhood.
    In those corners, we of course recommend Norra Kvälls national park and the old, famous Kvilleken, which actually has living branches again this year... I also recommend Pelarne church, which is probably from the 13th century and one of Sweden's oldest wooden churches. If you like churches, the one in Ingatorp is also beautiful.
    Aneby, north of Eksjö, is home to Stalpet, southern Sweden's highest waterfall.

    Eksjö is an old military town and the hussars' training field Ränneslätt where Erik XIV inspected the army is still used today but is also lent out for events. If you are interested in the military or like horses and music, you should time Eksjö Tattoo with international guests. It's also fun to come on May Day (although the city is less open that early) when the equestrian association organises a battle on horseback between winter and spring down in a meadow. In summer there is music at Eksjö city festival instead. .

    20 May 2023 - 10:52

    Reply

  3. Anna Nilsson Spets says:

    I get homesick when I see the typical red houses... So nice that the old is preserved, anything but the 70's demolition hysteria in Enköping.

    20 May 2023 - 11:57

    Reply

  4. bmlarstravellingblog says:

    I can put "check" on most things in the city. Unfortunately, we were there a little too late in the autumn so guided tours were unfortunately over, but then we have a reason to return. The film studio seems fun for any grandchildren's trip this summer!

    20 May 2023 - 15:46

    Reply

  5. BP says:

    What a cute city! There's something about wooden cities, I think, especially if they are as well maintained as this gem. Considering that the city has less than 20,000 inhabitants, there is a surprising amount to do.

    20 May 2023 - 20:08

    Reply

  6. Lena - good for the soul says:

    Oh, beautiful Eksjö! We visited the city last year. A first stop on our road trip Småland and Öland. We were there for a day so we did not have much time, but coffee at Lennarts, the city museum, a guided city walk on our own and dinner at the restaurant Bron (really good!) as we show in the first picture. Stayed at the beautiful Stadshotellet.

    You have much more 🙂

    Hug Lena

    25 May 2023 - 5:55

    Reply

  7. Anonymous says:

    Wonderful little wooden town so welcoming! Attended the very nice Christmas market and stayed at Vaxblekaregården which is K labelled.
    and so charming! will return to my city of birth this summer and explore more of Eksjö.
    Hugs Rose-marie &Torsten

    11 December 2023 - 18:07

    Reply

5 Pingbacks

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